CRISIS SUPPORT & WHERE TO GET HELP

If you or someone you love is thinking about suicide, self-harm, or is in crisis right now, free and confidential help is available immediately, 24/7. You don’t need a diagnosis, and you don’t need to be transgender yourself to reach out on someone else’s behalf.

There's no threshold you have to cross before it's "okay" to ask for help. Some signs it might be time to talk to someone:

feeling hopeless or overwhelmed more days than not
pulling away from people you care about, losing interest in things you used to enjoy
just feeling like you're carrying something too heavy to hold alone

If any of that sounds familiar, even a little, reaching out is a reasonable next step, not a last resort.

CONTENT NOTE

This page discusses suicide risk, depression, and anxiety among young people. If you or someone you love needs support right now, the resources are gathered here, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by call or text.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Accessible any time or day by call or texting 988 or via online chat at 988lifeline.org.

LGBT National Youth Talkline: Call 1-800-246-7743 for anyone 25 or younger.

Trans Lifeline: Call 1-877-565-8860. Staffed by trans people, for trans people. Operating hours may be limited; refer to https://translifeline.org/hotline/ for the latest information.

WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWS

KEY TAKEAWAYS

IF YOU'RE IN CRISIS RIGHT NOW

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org. The national crisis line for anyone in the U.S., staffed 24/7 by trained counselors.

LGBT National Youth Talkline. A peer-support line for anyone 25 years old or younger, staffed by trained LGBTQIA+ volunteers. Call 1-800-246-7743 or use the confidential online chat at lgbthotline.org. You can talk through anything from coming out to family conflict to suicidal thoughts; you don’t need to be in crisis to call.

Trans Lifeline. Call 1-877-565-8860 during operating hours (see the Trans Lifeline website’s hotline section for details: https://translifeline.org/hotline/). Trans Lifeline’s policy is not to contact emergency services without the caller’s consent.

THRIVE Lifeline. A crisis text line run by and for people with marginalized identities, including trans people, staffed by certified suicide intervention counselors. Text THRIVE to (313) 662-8209. For callers 18 and older.

Crisis Text Line. Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 text-based crisis support.

S.A.F.E. Alternatives. A national helpline specifically for self-harm and self-injury. Call 1-800-366-8288.

A note on privacy: confidentiality policies vary by service, and phone or internet activity can sometimes be visible to others on a shared device or family plan. If that’s a concern, calling from a private line is generally safer than a browser-based chat, and it’s fine to ask any service directly about their specific privacy policy before you start.

A NOTE ON THE 988 LIFELINE'S LGBTQ+ YOUTH HOTLINE

The 988 Lifeline’s dedicated LGBTQ+ youth option, previously offered by dialing 9-8-8 and pressing 3, is not currently available; use the resources above instead. The option was removed in July 2025. As of mid-2026, federal health officials have said they are working to restore it for future use. Until it’s back, everyone, including LGBTQ+ callers, can still reach a counselor through the general 988 line, and the resources above continue to operate independently of the 988 Lifeline program.

HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL

IF YOU'RE FACING FAMILY CONFLICT OR HOUSING INSTABILITY

National Runaway Safeline. Call 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929), or chat, text, or email at 1800runaway.org. Free, confidential, 24/7 support for youth who are considering running away, are already homeless, or are dealing with a difficult situation at home. Staff can also set up a mediated three-way call between a teen and a parent if desired.

FOR GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE SUPPORT

SAMHSA National Helpline. Call 1-800-662-4357, 24/7, confidential, in English and Spanish. Referrals to local treatment, support groups, and community organizations for mental health and substance use concerns. You can also text your ZIP code to 435748 to find help near you.

TRANSHEALTHHUB: ONGOING SUPPORT BEYOND CRISIS

Not everything needs to be an emergency to deserve support. A few starting points for ongoing care:

Finding a therapist who understands transgender youth: see our guide on how to find a licensed, affirming therapist (/parents/find-a-gender-therapist/).
PFLAG runs local peer-support chapters for LGBTQ+ people and their families nationwide.
LGBT National Help Center’s Youth Chatrooms, moderated weekly group chats for LGBTQ+ youth ages 19 and under.

FOR PARENTS AND CARETAKERS

If you’re supporting a transgender teen and aren’t sure where to start, our guide for parents and family support and wellbeing page is built for you specifically.